Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is the man most responsible for former Spain international and UEFA Champions League winner Luis Garcia joining the Central Coast Mariners.
Speaking to Fox Sports’ Michael Zappone during the second half of Central Coast’s A-League game with Adelaide United, Mariners’ manager Tony Walmsley revealed it was a good word from Gerrard that swayed the Mariners.
“He will bring quality first and foremost and great character,” Walmsley said.
“We got a great reference from Stevie Gerrard and he said you wouldn’t get a better person in terms of someone to pass on his experience to young players.
“The tips from within Liverpool were you couldn’t get a better man and he’s going to bring us a lot of quality on the pitch as well and a lot of spectators everywhere we go.”
Spectators and quality are two things the cellar-dwelling Mariners desperately need having just lost star midfielder Anthony Caceres to English Premier League giants Manchester City.
Garcia, 37, who recently played in Australia as a part of the Liverpool Legends match has signed on as Central Coast’s marquee player.
“I am really looking forward to being on the coast, meeting my fellow players, meeting the fans and to entertain them with my style of play,” Garcia said.
"One of the things that attracted me to the club was the opportunity to share my experience with a young playing group. I am also looking forward to playing football in one of the most beautiful places in the world,” Garcia said.
Garcia, who played for Liverpool, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid during his career, ends a two-year retirement by signing for the Mariners.
He won 20 caps for Spain, scoring four times.
In his club career, Garcia has so far scored 107 goals in 431 matches.
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